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July 26, 1932. s. A. w. OKELL I VALVE FOR STEAM RADIATORS AND LIKE Filed May 2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l VENTOR,

ATTORNEY July 26, 1932. s. A. w. OKELL I VALVE FOR STEAM RADIATORS AND THE LIKE Filed May 2. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 0 I w o "Iv/7272217474,

Q 2.- x8 lVENti g BY I, To 5 W MATTORNEY Jilly 6; s. A. w. OKELL 1,868,541 1 VALVE FOR STEAM RADIATORS AND IHE LIKE Filed May 2, 1929 s Sheet-Shet I I 3/5, Q 3/ Q 1 .915 a 4 I I I 2? 512 l I I \l @079 1 L $1 ll 510 l ,214 S 6Z2 g 1 -.m ENTOR I T ATTORNEY Patented July 26, 1932 UNITED STATES STANLEY A. W. OKELL, F CRANFORD, NEW JERSEY VALVE FOR STEAM RADIATOBS AND THE LIKE Application filed May 2,

My present invention relates to valves for steam radiators and the like for household and like heating purposes, and aims to devise articles of the general character specified which are simple in construction, which may be economically and conveniently fabricated and assembled, and which are adapted in a simple, efficient and highly satisfactory manner to permit the free and ready venting of air from the radiators to which they are applied and the prompt and etficient heating of such radiators and thus of the houses and other structures in which such radiators are contained. Other objects and advantages of the devices'of the pres ent invention will in part be pointed out in detail hereinafter and will in part be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

In the accompanying specification I shall describe and in the annexed drawings show several illustrative embodiments of the present invention. It is, however, to be clearly understood that my invention -is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof herein shown and described for purposes of illustration only.

Referring to the drawings wherein I have illustrated the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention:

Fig. 1 is a substantially central longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of one type of valve, constituting one of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the same being shown in 1929. Serial No. 359,744.

trative embodiments of the present invention, the valve being shown in open position;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the same taken along line 66 of Fig. of the drawings;

Fig. 7 is a substantially central longitudinal view, partly in elevation, of still another form of valve constituting the third one of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the same being shown in closed position;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the same taken along line 88 of Fig. 7 of the drawings; 60

Fig. 9 is a substantially central longitudinal view, partly in elevation, of the remaining one of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention; and

Fig. 10 is a detail fragmentary view, part-1y in longitudinal section and part-1y in elevation, and shown partly broken away, illustrating the factor of clearance as applied to the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention, particularly the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

Before describing the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention in detail, it may be desirable briefly to refer to the prior art and to set forth some of the cardinal distinctions between the valves of the present invention and the valves belonging to the prior art in the field to which the present invention relates. Hitherto, the valves employed in steam heating systems employing steam heated radiators for household and other purposes have been of the needle valve type, these valves being used on steam heating radiators for the purpose of freeing the same of entrapped air. Most valves of this type depend for their action on a sealed capsule containing a drop of alcohol or other volatile liquid which has a boiling point lower than that of steam at zero gauge pressure, that is, at 212 degrees F. 00

Such a capsule generally has a thin copper diaphragm at one end, generally the lower end, and the pressure generated within the capsule when the contained drop of alcohol or other readily volatile iquid is vaporized forcesthe diaphragm outward and lifts the capsule, thereby forcing the needle at the top of the capsule into the seat of the needle valve at the top of the outer shell of the whole combination, in this way preventing the egress of steam. When the valve cools, the reverse action happens, that is, the needle valve opens and air is again admitted into the radiator.

In any steam heating system in which considerable pressure isused this type of valve occasionally works satisfactorily. The difflculty is, however, that practically all domestic steam heating systems work with little or no pressure in them at all. As the outlet o-f the needle valve is generally no larger than a pin hole, it takes a considerable period oftime, sometimes several hours, for the limited pressure valveto force the air out through such'a small opening. The result of the entrapment of the air in such radiators for a considerable period of time is that the heating efliciency of the radiators containing the entrapped air is substantially often gradually reduced, so that sometimes such'radiators are rendered altogether inoperative for heating purposes.

I overcome this and other disadvantages of the usual type of valves for steam radiators and the-like by means of the constructions of the present invention. These constructions are characterized first by the fact that the valves of the present invention when open are wide open so as to permit the ready expulsion of the entrapped air. On the other hand, the valves of the present invention whenclosed are completely closed. Accordingly, it is not necessary or customary, with the valves of the present invention, to unscrew the same altogether from the radiators in order to lessen the back pressure, as is the case with the ordinary type of valves used for steam radiators for domestic and other heating purposes.

lVith the valves of the present invention, on the contrary, which open up so'wideas to make the back pressure no greater than the back pressure caused by the tapped hole into which the valve is screwed, the desired result of the prompt elimination of the trapped air from the. steam radiators to which the valves of the present invention are applied may obviously be obtained without the trouble of unscrewing the valve. These and other advantages of the valves of the present invention, particularly as exemplified in the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the same, will now readily appear from a detailed description of the speciflc forms of the valves illustrated inthe various figures of the drawings.

Referring now to the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention, and with particular reference to the drawings illustrating the same, and limiting the present discussion for the time being to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 1-, inclusive of the drawings, 10 indicates the lower portion of the housing for the valve mechanism, the same being provided with the threaded nipple 11 which is adapted to be screwed into one of the steam radiators or the like of a household steam heating system or the like, the radiator itself not being shown since its illustration is not necessary. 12 indicates the valve casing provided at its lower end with the bottom plate 13 which is preferably perforated so as to permit the passage of air and steam therethrough in opposite directions as the valve operates from open to closed position and vice versa, the valve being shown in open position in Fig. 1 of the drawings and in closed position in Fig.2 of the drawlngs.

The casing 12 may be of usual construction, somewhat as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The bottom plate 13 may rest on the flange portion 10 of the bottom fitting 10 which is also provided with the upturned flange portion 10" of general annular form to receive the casing 12 which may be soldered or welded thereto in a manner which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

As clearly appears from Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I preferably employ in my valve construction one or more capsules, each of which preferably has a diaphragm at each end, thus multiplying the length of travel of the valve twice for each capsule or four times where two such capsules are employed. In the same manner, the length of travel may be multiplied still further by the use of three, four or more capsules. In general I find, however, that two capsules with four diaphragms are sufficient to fulfill in a thoroughly practical and altogether satisfactory manner all of the purposes which the valves of the present invention are intended to carry out.

As more clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings, the capsules instead of being circular or elliptical in cross section are preferably angular, for example, rectangular, such as substantially square in cross section. That is, each of the capsules 20 and 21 are preferably made up of a section of tubing 22 which is preferably angular, such as rectangular, for example, square in cross sec tion, to which is sweated or otherwise secured in a hermetically sealed manner at each end thereof a copper or like flexible diaphragm 23 with the inclusion in each capsule before the second diaphragm is hermetically sealed thereto of a drop of alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, or other volatile liquid having such a boiling point that at the temperature of zero gauge pressure the volatilization of the drop of alcohol or other volatile fluid will cause the diaphragms to buckle outward and thus to move the valve outwards into closed position.

It may here be stated that while the capsules 20 and 21 may be round, I prefer to have the same of angular, such as rectangular. for example substantially square cross section, since the round capsules necessitate that special means be utilized for centering the same in the outer shell since it is, of course, neces sary that a space he left between the capsules and the inner wallof the outer shell for the upward passage of entrapped air. On the other hand, with a capsule of angular, such as rectangular, for example square cross section, the dimensions of the same may be such that the diagonal measurement, over all of the capsules is such as to permit an easy movement of the capsule up and down within the outer shell of the valve without the use of any other guiding arrangement except that provided bythe relative dimensions of the capsule and outer shell. This arrangement is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and4 of the drawings where it is seen that plenty of space is provided between the sides of the capsules and the inner wall of the outer shell of the valve.

It may here be stated that the diaphragm 23 with which the capsules 20 and 21 are provided are always more or less concave when the valve is cold. This is desirable in order to insure a maximum amount of movement or travel of the valve proper when the valve becomes heated to the desired temperature. This desired concavity when the valve is cold is preferably brought about by sealing the capsule when it is in a heated condition, so that the contained volatile air is vaporized at the time of sealing, with the result that a vacuum is produced in the capsules and the diaphragms are thus in concave position when the capsule becomes cool.

In order to eliminate as far as possible lost motion in the movement of the capsules into expanded position when the diaphragms 23 are convex rather than concave, corresponding to the closed position of the diaphragm as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, I employ suitable spacing means such as a fixed or bottom spacer and a movable or top spacer, together with an intermediate spacer if there are two capsules and a plurality of spacers one between each pair of spacers, if there are more than two capsules. Accordingly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I provide the lower spacing means generally designated by reference character 30 and comprising, for example, a knob or round projection 30 on the bottom perforated plate v13. The purpose of having the spacer 30,

which may be formed with or soldered or otherwise attached to the bottom perforated plate 13 rounded or substantially hemispherical is that it thus assists in centering the lower capsule 20 and also is less likely to injure the lower diaphragms 23 of the lower capsule 20.

31 indicates the upper spacing means comprising a similar hemispherical or rounded projection on the valve proper generally designated by reference character 40 and comprising the plate 41 and the seal 42, all as shown moreclearly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The spacing means 31 are in contact with the upper diaphragm 23 of the upper capsule 21.

=At 32 I have indicated the intermediate spacing means comprising preferably a plate 33 having the upper knob or projection 34 in contact with the lower diaphragm 23 of the upper capsule 21 and the lower knob or projection 35 in contact with the upper diaphragm 23 of the lower capsule 20. It may ere be stated that the knobs or projections 30, 31, 34 and 35 may be conveniently formed by a drop of solder which preferably occupied the substantially central portion of the plate or portion to which it is applied.

In this way it will be noted that the spacing means comprising the projections 30, 31, 34 and 35 fill in the space between the diaphragms and the plates 13 and 40 immediately below and above the same when the valve is in open position as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In this way the lost motion which would result from the concavity of the diaphragms in their cold or contract ed position is avoided. Furthermore, the buttons or projections 30, 31, 34 and 35 serve to insure that the thrust of the diaphragms when they are expanded under the action of heat to bring the valve into the closed position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings is directed substantially accurately under the center of the closing disk 42, thus insuring that a uniform pressure of the disk is obtained at all points around the lower end 50 of the tube 51 which will shortly be described.

It may here be stated that since the capsules 20 and 21 are preferably of angular, such as rectangular, for example substantially square cross-section, the diaphragms 23 may be made of similarly shaped copper pieces of suitable dimension having the corners cut out so that the extensions may be pinned down and soldered in place over the similarly shaped tube sections 22 in the formation of the capsules, a simple method of procedure in the manufacture of the capsules much superior to the crimping methods requiring the use of dies in the case of capsules which are round or elliptical in cross section.

To further the desirable condition and operation of the valves of the present invention brought about by the magnification of the pelled from the radiators and instead employ a tube 51, the bottom of which has been designated by reference character 50 and which is of relatively "large bore to form the discharge orifice of the valve. In place of the usual needle I employ a brass or other suitable disk 42 supported on a plate 41 of which it may form a part and constituting altogether the movable valve portion 40. The upper surface of the plate 42 may be carefully ground flat so as to entirely close thelower end 50 of the tube 51 when the valve is in closed position. The lower end '50 of the tube 51 may be similarly ground so as to cooperate in a gas-tight manner with the upper ground surfaces of the disk 42. While the disk may be round and may be a part of the plate 41, it may be soldered to the plate 41 which latter is preferably of angular, such as rectangular, for example substantially square configuration.

While it has been found that in general the weight of the brass closing disk 40 of the valve is amply suficient to insure that the valve opens fully when it cools, it may be desirable in certain cases to provide separate and additional means for bringing about this result. For example, I may provide a coil spring 60, the upper end ofwhich may be seated under the upper end 12 of the outer. casing 12 and the lower endof which may be seated against the upper face of the portion of the plate 41 surrounding the disk 42. 12" indicates the aperture through which the tube 51 passes and in which it is soldered or otherwise securely positioned.

The upper end 52 of the tube 51 is threaded as indicated at 53 to receive and retain the cap 7 0 which is used for the purpose of preventing dust and air from getting on to the seat of the valve. 54 indicates a series of perforations orrholes in the sides of the tube 51 for the purpose of allowing air to escape from the valve casing 12'.

. This completes the description of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present inventionas illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings; It will be noted that the valve shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings is simple in construction and may be easily and conveniently fabricated and assembled. In operation and in its various functions it presents many distinctions and superiorities over the prior art valves 7 which distinctions and superiorities will now be enumerated.

With the valves of the present invention the back pressure when the valve is open is substantially negligible since the bottom of the venting tube 51wi1l be wide open without any obstruction in it or near it which would tend to slow up the expulsion of the entrapped air.- Furthermore, since the total area of the four or other suitable number of apertures 54 is substantially equal to the area of the opening at the bottom of the tube 51, no back pressure is exerted'on the discharge openings 54. Similarly, the area at the bottom of the cap is likewise of the same area as the area of the opening in the tube 51 and the combined'area of the openings 54.

In addition to this very important feature which facilitates the immediate and efficient expulsion of entrapped air from the .valve casing 12, the dimensional factors specified are permitted to perform their function fully due to the substantial elimination of lost mo tion by reason of the provision of the spacing means 30, 31, 34 and 35. Moreover, the multiplication of the movement or travel of the movable portion 40 of the valve into closing position permits the quick closing of the valve when the air has been expelled and steam has entered the steam chamber 12 while the same arrangement permits the quick opening of the valve for the expulsion. of air when the desired temperature has been attained in the valve casing 12. Additional advantages of the valves of the present invention as exemplified in the aforesaid illus trative embodiments of the present invention may be set forth as follows:

The valves of the present invention may beused successfully on any one radiator in a carefully inspected for slight leaks which would render these partial vacuum valves inoperative. With the valves of the present invention leaks in the steam heating system are of negligible importance; Furthermore, since the valves of the present invention permit the free ingress and egress of air, it is possible to arrange the source of heat so that either the whole radiator may be used for heating or only a part of. itmay be used for that purpose, it being found that the extent to which the radiator may be filled up with steam is solely dependent on how much fire is kept in the furnace. More fire in-the furnace results in more air being vacated, steam taking its place, while less air results in the opposite effect, less air being vacated, steam again taking the place of what air is vacated.

Accordingly, application of the valves of the present invention to steamheating radiator's for household heating systems or the 7 like does away with the common complaint made by occupants of steam heated residences and apartments, namely, that such residences and apartments are either far too hot or far too cold. This undesirable condition is the result of the fact that with the ordinary types of valves it is necessary to stoke up the fire more than is necessary for strict heating purposes, in order to obtain enough pressure to overcome the resistance of the pin holes or other small air discharge apertures in the valves hitherto employed. Accordingly, with the steam heating valves hitherto employed, by the time the radiator fills with steam, an entirely unnecessary steam pressure exists in the system. The steam is accordingly much higher in temperature than is necessary for strict heating purposes and overheating results. By the use of the valves of the present invention which are free from any undesirable back pressure this undesirable condition of the heating systems cannot exist.

Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the parts 110, 111, 112, 120 and 121 are substantially the same as the parts 10, 11, 12, 20 and 21 of the embodiment of the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings. Similarly the parts 122 and the parts 123 are substantially the same as the parts 22 and 23, respectively, of the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings. The same is true of the parts 151, 152, 160 and 170 which are substantially the same as the parts 51, 52, 60 and 7 0 of the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings.

Here also there are lower separating means 130 associated with the perforated bottom plate 113. There are also upper separating means 131 and the intermediate separating means 132'embodying the plate 133 and the separating knobs 134 and 135 as in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings. Perforations 154 are provided .in the vent tube 151.

The principal difference between the form of. the device illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings and the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings is that the moving portion of the valve generally designated by reference character 180 comprises the plate 181 carrying on its lower sur face the spacing member 131 and provided with the pointed bearing 182. For convenience in construction, the pointed bearing 182 may be a continuation of the spacing mem her 131, the latter constituting the head and the former the point of a rivet-shaped member which may be sweated or otherwise suitably secured in the plate 181. The valve member proper may comprise the plate 183'carrying, as by being formed integrally with, the closure member 184, 185 indicating the receiving member for the point of the bearing 182, such receiving member 185 being provided on the lower face of the plate 183.

Otherwise the construction of the form of valve illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings is substantially the same as for the valve illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings. Moreover, the advantages in operation and in use of the valve just described are substantially the same as for the valve described earlier in this specification.

Turning now to the form of the device illustrated in Figs. 7 and S of the drawings, I have there shown a valve which comprises the inlet fitting 210 having the threaded nipple 211 and the perforated bottom plate member 212 which may be provided on its upper surface with the spacing member 213. The capsules generally designated by reference char acter 214 and 215 are preferably constructed similarly to the capsules 20 and 21 already described in connection with the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings.

Reference character 216 designates generally the intermediate spacing member comprising the supporting plate 217 and the projections 218 and 219 which may consist of drops of solder and the like.

The form of the invention now being described and illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings is to be distinguished from the forms of the inventions previously described in that springs for maintaining the capsules in collapsed position when the valve is cold are omitted and in that a separate closure plate for the valve is omitted, the upper diaphragm 220 and the upper capsule 215 serving as such closure plate.

Here also there is provided a vent or discharge tube 221 which instead of being provided with perforations is provided with the slots 222 which serve the same purpose, the dimensions of the different parts being such that substantially no back pressure is caused during the use of the valve in its open or air venting position. Here also a cap 223 is provided which is held in position by means of the spring-like retaining member 224 more clearly shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

Otherwise the construction of this valve is substantially the same as that of the valves previously described. Moreover, the advantages of such valve in operation and use are substantially the same as in the case of the valves previously described.

Turning now to the fourth and remaining one of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings, I have there shown a construction embodying a single capsule 300 having the two diaphragms 301 all within the casing 302. 303 represents the inlet fitting provided with a nipple 304, 305 representing the perforated bottom plate through which air and steam pass in reverse dlrections.

306 represents spacing means which. may

- be in the form of a drop of solder on the bottom perforated plate 305. 307 represents additional spacing means which may be in the form of a drop .of solder on the movable member of the valve generally designated by reference character 308. The member 308 may comprise the supporting plate 309 and the ground closure plate 310 which is adapted in the closed position of the valve to have an airtight contact with the bottom 311 of the vent tube 312 which is provided with the perforations 313, the dimensions of the perforations and of the aperture at the bottom of thevent tube 312 being such as to cause sub- 7 tion of the valve.

a that the clearance 316 between the lower end 311 of the vent tube 312 and the upper face of the closure plate 310 shall be sufficient to break the annulus of condensed steam in the form of water of condensation which has a tendency to collect on the upper surface of the'closure plate 310 and thus obstruct the escape of the entrapped air. It will be noted that in the case of the form of the invention now being described the closure plate 310 is 3 at a smaller distance from the lower end 311 of the tube 312 than in the case of the remaining forms of the invention where a plurality of capsules is employed. This is for the reason that the amountof movement or distance of travel in the case of a single capsule type of valve made in accordance with the principles of the present invention is a fraction of such distance of movement or length of travel in the case of a multicapsule made in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Undersuch conditions there is a tendency for a droplet of water to collect on the closing plate. It is, therefore, highly desirable that even in this case the capsule and thus the moving part of the valve have a degree of movement or length of travel long enough to disrupt this droplet of water which distance is about one-eighth of an inch to three-sixteenths of an inch with a tube of a quarter of an inch bore.

While not possessing quite the advantages in construction and operation of the remaining forms of the invention herein shown and described for purposes of illustration only, the

valve last described has many advantages, already touched upon, over the valves customarily employed in steam heating systems for household and like purposes. It is even possible to utilize a capsule having a single diaphragm providing the length of travel of 1",ses,54. 1"

such diaphragm and accordingly of the movable part of the valve associated therewith is suiiicient to break the droplet of water which has a tendency to accumulate between the vent tube and the moving portion of the valve. In any event I prefer that the dimensions of the vent tube and of the apertures or slots in the same shall be suflicient to bring about a substantial absence of back pressure when the valve is in the open position. In other respects also this valve has the advantages in construction, mode of assembly and use inherent in the other forms of valves already described.

This completes the description of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention. It will be noted that such embod iments are simple in construction and may be readily and conveniently fabricated and assembled. It will be noted also that the valves constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention possess the numerous advantages vin construction, mode of assembly, operation and use already described above. Other superiorities and advantages of the valves of the present invention in construction, mode of operation, assembly and use will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

What I claim as my invention is; V

1. Spacing means for a thermal capsule or capsules, or the like, comprising a main body portion substantially of polygonal form having a substantially centrally disposed projection thereon.

2. In a valve for steam radiators for heating purposes and the like, a plurality of coacting thermal capsules each comprising a tubular body portion of polygonal cross section provided adjacent each end thereof with a flexible diaphragm sealed thereto in an airtight manner, in combination with spacing means interposed between said coacting thermal capsules to take up a part at least of the lost motion of said coacting thermal capsules during their expansion, said spacing means comprising a main body portion of similar cross sections to said capsules and at least one substantially centrally disposedprojection thereon.

3. A casing for steam valves for radiators for heating purposes and the like having a steam inlet port and an air outlet port the efiective areas of which are of substantially I the same order, the effective area of the air outlet port being such that substantially no back pressure is created when said air outlet port is open for the discharge of entrapped air, in combination with thermally controlled means for opening and closing said air outlet port, said thermally controlled means comprising a plurality of thermal capsules having air-tight'diaphragms at each end thereof and spacing means associated with said diaphragmsand being interposed between said thermal capsules to take up lost motion of the same during their expansion under the action of heat said spacing means comprising a main body portion of similar cross sections to said capsules and at least one substantially centrally disposed projection thereon.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 26th day of April, 1929.

STANLEY A. W. OKELL. 

